PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Page Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justina Vanovcan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vanovcan has chosen Moskau as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Knight
vs
Vanovcan

183 cm
25
144 lbs
12 - 11 - 0

153 cm
30
130 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Good elbows
Powerful

Beast Body

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Page Knight!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Justina Vanovcan!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vanovcan dodges the punch combination from Knight.
Vanovcan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Vanovcan lands the left hand.
Knight avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vanovcan slips a jab and a cross from Knight.
Vanovcan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Vanovcan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Knight paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Knight really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Knight lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Vanovcan fails in his attempt to clinch.

Vanovcan throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Knight was covering up waiting for the punch and Vanovcan finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Vanovcan scoring with punches to the head and body.

Vanovcan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Knight has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Vanovcan has managed to get both his arms back between Knight's legs - danger averted.

Knight looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Knight will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Knight is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Vanovcan defends well.
Vanovcan with a nice head shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanovcan trying to control but Knight is working from the bottom.

Vanovcan gets to his feet. Knight looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Knight misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vanovcan dives in and grabs Knight's left leg, looking for a takedown. Knight pushes down on Vanovcan's head and hops out.
Vanovcan is looking to clinch.
Knight misses with a hook. Vanovcan ducked under it nicely.
Knight throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vanovcan.

Vanovcan closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Knight did well to prevent Vanovcan getting side control.
Knight is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Vanovcan has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Vanovcan working the head and body with strikes.

Knight looking for submissions off his back.
Vanovcan has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Vanovcan raining down shots from the mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Vanovcan pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Knight is desperately trying to improve his position but Vanovcan has a good base and remains in mount.
Vanovcan lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Vanovcan pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Vanovcan lands a big elbow.
Vanovcan breaks from Knight's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Vanovcan lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Vanovcan lands a heavy elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Knight is in all sorts of trouble here.
Vanovcan can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Knight is looking to escape.
Knight is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Knight tries to reverse the position but Vanovcan maintains control.
Vanovcan content just to control the position here.
Knight working to try and regain half guard.

Vanovcan has control of Knight's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Knight regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Knight is looking to get to half guard.

Vanovcan jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Knight manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Vanovcan in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Vanovcan lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight tries to bench press Vanovcan off him but Vanovcan keeps the position.
Knight manages to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Knight looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Vanovcan is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Knight is just riding it out for now. Vanovcan eventually gives up the hold.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vanovcan takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Knight avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vanovcan.

Knight looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Vanovcan trying to control from half guard but Knight is working away.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Knight has hold of Vanovcan's hands but Vanovcan slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Knight looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Vanovcan is looking to take a break and control but Knight is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justina Vanovcan dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Vanovcan pushes Knight up against the cage in a clinch.
Vanovcan lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Vanovcan swings wildly with an uppercut but Knight uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vanovcan unloads a knee to the mid-section.
With the fighters up against the cage, Vanovcan throws an elbow but misses.

Knight manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Knight has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vanovcan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Vanovcan throws a big elbow that misses.
Vanovcan keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Knight's head.
Vanovcan wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.
Vanovcan looking to pass the guard.
Vanovcan wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vanovcan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Vanovcan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Vanovcan gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Knight ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vanovcan moves away.

Vanovcan manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Knight on his heels. He'll look to pass Knight's guard now, I'm sure.

Knight escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Vanovcan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Vanovcan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Vanovcan stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Vanovcan tries to clinch up.

Vanovcan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Vanovcan using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Knight has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Vanovcan gets control of Knight's arms and successfully pulls guard. Vanovcan will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Knight is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Vanovcan is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Vanovcan has escaped and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Knight looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Vanovcan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Vanovcan wants to stand but Knight has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Knight is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Knight is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Vanovcan is aware though and is defending well.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Vanovcan's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Justina Vanovcan has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vanovcan postures up and lands a big shot to Knight's brow.
Vanovcan advances position into side control!
Knight manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Vanovcan is keen to just control but Knight is a slippery customer.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Vanovcan connects with a nice short shot to Knight's temple.
Knight is in trouble now - Vanovcan has advanced to mount!
Vanovcan raining down shots from the mount!
Knight is squirming around, avoiding Vanovcan's attempts to control the action.
Vanovcan lands a nice shot to the head.
Knight is working to get back to half guard.
Vanovcan looking to control but Knight is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Vanovcan lands a nice shot to the head.
Knight tries to reverse the position but Vanovcan maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan with a couple of short strikes.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Knight regains half guard.
Vanovcan is trying to control. Knight wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Knight looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Vanovcan performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Vanovcan is looking to take a break and control but Knight is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Vanovcan throwing shots but Knight is blocking nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Vanovcan is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Vanovcan not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justina Vanovcan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Vanovcan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Knight swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Knight avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Knight throws a combination that misses

and Vanovcan counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Knight!
Vanovcan looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Vanovcan fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Knight is looking to get to half guard.
Vanovcan has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Knight's face.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vanovcan scoring with strikes but Knight is staying in there.
Knight is in all sorts of trouble here.
Vanovcan raining down shots from the mount!
Vanovcan lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Knight hang on?
Vanovcan controlling the pace for now.
Vanovcan landing shots from mount.
Vanovcan prevents Knight from getting the reversal.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vanovcan looking for a guillotine from mount but Knight is having none of it.
Knight is working to get back to half guard.
Knight sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Knight taking some punishment here, with Vanovcan in his half guard.

Knight looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Vanovcan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Vanovcan stands up out of the half guard.
Vanovcan moves to clinch but Knight breaks away
and Knight counters with a three punch combo that has Vanovcan backing up. Vanovcan nods at Knight to acknowledge the strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vanovcan gets the takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Knight is not content to let Vanovcan control the position.
Knight tries to buck Vanovcan off but Vanovcan is having none of it.
Vanovcan lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Knight down.
Vanovcan cracks Knight with a big right hand but Knight just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Knight takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Knight is looking for a sweep.

Vanovcan stands up.

Vanovcan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Vanovcan pulls Knight into guard.
Knight being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Vanovcan's guard.
Vanovcan makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Vanovcan.

Knight drops back, looking for a kneebar! Vanovcan looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Vanovcan looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Vanovcan!
Knight is looking for a sweep.
Vanovcan cracks Knight with a big elbow.
Knight tries to bench press Vanovcan off him but Vanovcan keeps the position.
Vanovcan working the head with strikes.

Vanovcan stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Vanovcan tries to clinch but Knight moves away
and Knight counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Knight swats away the attempt to clinch by Vanovcan.
Knight misses with a combination

and Vanovcan counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vanovcan working Knight over with strikes.
Vanovcan looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Vanovcan wants to take a breather but Knight is having none of it.

Vanovcan is looking for a kimura but Knight is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Vanovcan to get the leverage.
Vanovcan is nestled in close to Knight, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Knight actively working from the bottom here.

Knight looking for submissions off his back.
Vanovcan working Knight over with strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Knight actively working from the bottom here.
Vanovcan landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Vanovcan is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justina Vanovcan really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Some wild striking there from Knight.

Vanovcan shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Knight napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Vanovcan lands some shots froms side control.

Vanovcan decides to stand back up. Vanovcan steps back and let's Knight get back to his feet.
Vanovcan tries to clinch but Knight is having none of it.

Vanovcan feints and as Knight raises his hands in defense, Vanovcan changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Knight is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vanovcan working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Vanovcan trying to control but Knight is working from the bottom.
Vanovcan landing with the ground and pound.
Vanovcan is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Knight looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Knight looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanovcan lands a couple of elbows.
Knight keeping full guard, as Vanovcan tries to pass.

Knight looking for subs off his back but Vanovcan has passed one foot through into half guard.

Knight actively working from the bottom here.
Knight is not content to let Vanovcan control the position.
Vanovcan works his way into full mount!
Knight is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vanovcan wants to finish this one by submission but Knight is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Vanovcan.
Vanovcan with a couple of short strikes.
Vanovcan landing strikes from the mount.

Vanovcan looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Knight keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Knight is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Knight manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Vanovcan works his way into full mount!
Vanovcan landing strikes, looking to finish!
Knight working to try and regain half guard.
Vanovcan landing strikes from the mount and Knight is in trouble!
Vanovcan with shots to the head and body - Knight looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanovcan lands a big elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knight tries to reverse the position but Vanovcan maintains control.
BOOM! Vanovcan connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Vanovcan scoring with strikes but Knight is staying in there.
Knight takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Knight tries to reverse the position but Vanovcan maintains control.
Vanovcan scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Knight?

Knight is rocked!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Vanovcan cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Oh Knight is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Knight is looking to get to half guard.
Vanovcan raining down shots from the mount!
Vanovcan loads up on a couple of big shots to the head that have Knight scrambling to escape. He can't get free though and several more unanswered shots from Vanovcan land to the head. The referee has no choice but to stop the fight. Vanovcan stands and salutes the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Justina Vanovcan!
Justina Vanovcan is the new bantamweight champion!